﻿For Wolfgang Benz, the stigmatisation of Jews through anti-Semitism is most certainly comparable with the exclusion of Muslims as a manifestation of hostility towards and hatred of Islam. In his new book, the historian takes stock and highlights new dangers for western societies in their behaviour towards minorities. By Claudia MendeMore

﻿At a recent conference in Germany looking at radical critics of Islam, there was consensus that it was about time that politicians and society looked more seriously at the growing defamation of Muslims. By Claudia MendeMore

The liberal feminist Muslim and bestselling author Irshad Manji calls for a reconciliation between faith and freedom. Christoph Dreyer spoke with her about civil courage, the dangers of moderation and her new book Allah, Liberty and LoveMore

Since 2010, a Berlin-based network has dedicated itself to opposing discrimination against Muslims by providing information and legal advice to the Muslim community. As Sabine Ripperger has been finding out, Muslims are often unaware that discrimination is illegal in GermanyMore

Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan asks how Americans and Middle Easterners can move past a decade scarred by 9/11 and the subsequent "war on terror" to embrace the new spirit of cooperation embodied by the Arab SpringMore

﻿Historically, the borough of Tower Hamlets is a multicultural part of Britain's capital. Today, it is home to over 70,000 Muslims. But some critics say the place has become a hothouse for Islamic extremism. Joseph Burke takes a look into a multi-faceted conflictMore

﻿After a decade, 9/11 is over. Its main legacy – the idea that Islam is fundamentally opposed to Western democratic values – has finally lost its power of persuasion. What is making this antithesis untenable is the Arab Spring, which is revealing rather different sides to both Muslims and what the West has stood for in the past. An essay by Geert J. SomsenMore

The Islamic month of fasting began last Monday – in Europe too, where the majority society still knows far too little about the holy practice, which is a religious duty of all Muslims and one of the "five pillars of Islam". Emel Zeynelabidin says that for this reason, posing questions that are free of fear and born of interest is now a matter of great urgencyMore

The massacre in Norway reveals just how wrong critics of Islam have been: it wasn't a Muslim who went to war against the West – it was one of their own, someone who shared many of their views. That has made it clear: the true enemies of the anti-Islam movement are not the Muslims, but its own supporters. By Stefan WeidnerMore

Just a few months before the completion of ﻿Cologne's new central mosque, the debate about the building continues unabated, although the debate now circles more around its architecture and location than around political or social issues. Zulfikar Abbany has the detailsMore

One year ago, Nasr Hamid Abu Zaid, Egyptian Koranic thinker and one of the leading liberal theologians in Islam, died prematurely at the age of 56. In one of his last interview with Yoginder Sikand, he speaks about his work and reflects on his efforts to promote a humanistic reading of the Islamic traditionMore

﻿Omid Djalili started his stand-up comedy career with "Short, Fat Kebab Shop Owner's Son" in 1996. Now a successful Hollywood actor, the British-Iranian entertainer talks to Julia Grosse about his role in "The Infidel", British humour and jokes about Muslims and JewsMore

﻿As a presenter for MTV, Kristiane Backer was an icon of popular culture. In her book Islam as a Way of the Heart she goes to the heart of her religion to demonstrate that a tolerant, open Islam grounded in the Koran and Islamic source materials does indeed exist. Lewis Gropp has this reviewMore

﻿Whether it is about a ban on burkas or minarets, on integration and mainstream culture, or the triumphal procession of raving critics of Islam the likes of Geert Wilders – Europe is obsessed with the discussion on Islam and, in the process, it is occasionally forgotten that the Muslim world is confronted with similar issues. By Christian H. MeierMore

With his hostility towards religious minorities in the Islamic world and his wholesale dismissal of Muslim life in Europe, the Islamic scholar and television preacher Yusuf al-Qaradawi is damaging dialogue and interreligious communication. A commentary by Khaled HroubMore

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Muslims all over the world are currently observing Ramadan. The month of fasting is supposed to be all about reflection, meditation and abstention - but Ramadan is becoming increasingly commercialised.